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By Emmanuel Adeleke
Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has ordered the demolition of popular Jankara and Bombata Markets in Lagos Island as part of the on-going efforts to allow for free flow of water into the drains.
The governor gave the order on Sunday, while addressing the media during an inspection tour which started from Idumagbo Avenue through Ojo-Giwa, Jankara, Oroyinyin, Bombata, Pelewura and Ilubinrin of the state.
The state government is building a six metres by 1.2 metres pump station, to convey flood water from Thomas and Idumagbo areas into the lagoon.
He urged residents to have a change of attitude towards the environment as his administration would not tolerate any form of abuse.
“There will be zero-tolerance and as from Monday, the Ministry of Environment will start giving demolition notices to all the stores that have been built on the drains and on all existing drains.
“They have built shops on all the drains and that is why we are having these problems of flooding and environmental pollution.
“We cannot let a few people risk the lives of the larger number of us,’’ he said.
The governor noted that a lot of illegal structures erected in the markets had blocked the drainage channels, which he said is causing flooding. He added that human activities had negatively impacted the areas.
Sanwo-Olu stressed that the markets must give way to allow urban regeneration and to end perennial flooding in the area.
The governor told all illegal squatters and those involved in illegal activities that government would take and clean up the markets as it enforced its zero tolerance for illegal environmental activities.
Sanwo-Olu also observed that Pelewura Market was currently harbouring a large number of illegal squatters.
“We are going to give them adequate notice and we are going to work with our concessionaires, the local government and all the stakeholders will be brought on board.
“We will all agree as to when that demolition and evacuation will start.
“I have given them the first notice already and I will give them the opportunity as stakeholders, for us to know when that final demolition will take place,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor also noted that Idumagbo Avenue that was once well-built had failed because of activities in markets in the area.
He affirmed that the tour offered him the opportunity to establish what the issues were and to evolve lasting solutions to them.
Sanwo-Olu said solution would begin from Ilubinrin pump dtation as government had been on the project for almost two years because of the depth of work to be done.
He explained that the government would start assessment of the Idumagbo Avenue, Ojo-Giwa and Adeniji Adele Road.
The governor cautioned residents of the areas against blocking the drains, noting that their way of life and behaviour contributed to the problem.